Pikes Peak Trip Report 06/18/2011

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Pikes Peak - 14,109 feet
Date Posted	06/18/2011
Date Climbed	06/17/2011
Author	mlayman09

Pikes Peak- Northwest Slopes
Pikes Peak-Northwest Slopes Route Starting elevation: 10,000. Ending elevation: 14,110 Hike Leader: Aaron Voth (mennoguy) Starting time: 6:45 Summit time: 10:40 Ending time: 2:45 Mileage: 15 Some of the Senior High campers from Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp went with 6 staff members to Pikes Peak via the Northwest slopes route. Packed lunches at 6am and drove up to the Crags campground and we were on the trail at 6:45. The first couple miles is rolling, easy terrain and follows fourmile creek for awhile. We reached the start of the switchbacks and took a break for water. Everybody was doing well at this point, for some it was their first time hiking Pikes Peak, including myself. Hit a steady pace going up to Sheep's ridge and took another break at the top to take in the view and put on more layers. The trail to this point was very well maintained and developed. Some of our group were sad that the porta pottys were locked. Went through the Devil's playground and through two small snow patches. Came to the boulder field and yelled encouragement to each other. Reached the peak in a camp record, just under four hours! Took pics at the sign then got inside to avoid the 25 degree temps outside. Most of us consumed multiple donuts which were an excellent treat. Went down after half an hour, some campers decided to drive down in the support van. While going down the boulder field we witnessed clouds rippling off the eastern slopes. It looked like there were geysers on the edge giving off steam. A few minutes later a hail/snow storm cooked up and sandblasted any exposed part of our bodies. Lightning struck only once thankfully. As quickly as the storm came it left and we soaked in the sun once again. As we reached sheep's ridge we took in a dramatic view to the west of dark purple rain clouds developing. Steadily made it down the slope and got into treeline just as the storm rolled in and dropped graupel for a few minutes. Stopped and waited for one of the campers who had gotten pretty bad altitude sickness. Got her some water and kept going down. As we neared fourmile creek again the sun came out and the air was heavy, so we all stripped down to t-shirts and shorts again. Cruised the rest of the way down and walked down the forest service road to camp. A terrific hike with great people, mostly good weather, and awesome views of God's creation. My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload): Login required to view this map... Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Pikes Peak- Northwest Slopes

Pikes Peak-Northwest Slopes Route
Starting elevation: 10,000. Ending elevation: 14,110
Hike Leader: Aaron Voth (mennoguy)
Starting time: 6:45
Summit time: 10:40
Ending time: 2:45
Mileage: 15

Some of the Senior High campers from Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp went with 6 staff members to Pikes Peak via the Northwest slopes route. Packed lunches at 6am and drove up to the Crags campground and we were on the trail at 6:45. The first couple miles is rolling, easy terrain and follows fourmile creek for awhile. We reached the start of the switchbacks and took a break for water. Everybody was doing well at this point, for some it was their first time hiking Pikes Peak, including myself. Hit a steady pace going up to Sheep's ridge and took another break at the top to take in the view and put on more layers. The trail to this point was very well maintained and developed. Some of our group were sad that the porta pottys were locked. Went through the Devil's playground and through two small snow patches. Came to the boulder field and yelled encouragement to each other. Reached the peak in a camp record, just under four hours! Took pics at the sign then got inside to avoid the 25 degree temps outside. Most of us consumed multiple donuts which were an excellent treat. Went down after half an hour, some campers decided to drive down in the support van. While going down the boulder field we witnessed clouds rippling off the eastern slopes. It looked like there were geysers on the edge giving off steam. A few minutes later a hail/snow storm cooked up and sandblasted any exposed part of our bodies. Lightning struck only once thankfully. As quickly as the storm came it left and we soaked in the sun once again. As we reached sheep's ridge we took in a dramatic view to the west of dark purple rain clouds developing. Steadily made it down the slope and got into treeline just as the storm rolled in and dropped graupel for a few minutes. Stopped and waited for one of the campers who had gotten pretty bad altitude sickness. Got her some water and kept going down. As we neared fourmile creek again the sun came out and the air was heavy, so we all stripped down to t-shirts and shorts again. Cruised the rest of the way down and walked down the forest service road to camp. A terrific hike with great people, mostly good weather, and awesome views of God's creation.

My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

Craig Cook	Sounds like a great trip! 6/18/2011 11:55pm Glad everyone made it through the storm safely. 25 degree temps? Guess I better rethink bringing a hat with me this Wednesday when I hike.
GraceU2DSummit	Hiked Pike's today! 6/19/2011 2:07am Had about the same weather as well. Beautiful day, but windy. Then, the storm rolled in for short bit in the afternoon. Fortunately, we were down before I heard the thunder. You all made great time for a group that size!
mlayman09	Definitely bring a hat 6/19/2011 4:27pm Craig, I too considered not bringing a hat but was so glad that I ended up bringing one as well as gloves

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